A/N – this was done and have got loads to do today (decorate cake & make mince pies with boys) so thought that I'd get it up nice and early, only one more chapter to go after this one...!

Chapter 23 – Waiting

Ten days later –

Rossi, Morgan, Emily, Garcia and JJ were all sat in the conference room with case files strewn across the table. Hotch and Reid had been called away to Texas to consult on a death row case so the others were catching up on consults and had decided to work through some of the cases together.

"Uh oh watch out wicked witch heading this way."

Garcia spotted Strauss heading towards the stairs and her eyes were firmly focused on the room where they were all sitting.

"Ah great saved by the bell. Excuse me."

Emily grabbed her cell as it rang loudly and gratefully took the opportunity to step out of the room to answer it, leaving the others to deal with Strauss as she left.

"Agent Prentiss."

"Good Morning Agent Prentiss, my name is Alice Brinkhoff I am District Attorney Silkman's PA. He wanted me to let you know that they are staring closing arguments this morning and that he would like you to travel up for the verdict."

"Thank you very much, please let Mr Silkman know that I will leave today."

Emily knew that this day was coming but that did nothing to stop the shock that suddenly came over her. Emily didn't know how or where to compose herself but then she felt her shoulder, flinching at the contact Emily quickly turned around.

"Agent Prentiss, is everything ok?"

Emily looked at Strauss, her contempt for the woman was well known but there was a concern in her eyes that seemed strangely genuine.

"That was a call from Pittsburgh, they have started the closing arguments so it won't be long until the verdicts are in."

"Take as much time as you need Emily, the jet is available to you and the team."

"Ma'am?"

Emily frowned as she spoke her mind full of confusion.

"Emily, I know that we have a certain, 'history', but I know how hard this case has been for you and the team and it will help you all to get some closure."

"Thank you ma'am."

"I will go and sort out the paperwork for you and the team to have the time off."

Strauss walked off down the stairs as Emily stood for a second with her eyebrows raised before she walked back into the conference room and filled in the others on the conversation she had just had.

"I've got to go and speak to Kate at school, I need to find out if she is ok to go back."

Emily stood up and looked at everyone who was still sitting at the table.

"I'll meet you at the jet in an hour, and I can't thank you all enough for coming with me."

"Hey of course we are coming, Strauss is giving us the time off and it certainly beats looking through JJ's files!"

Morgan beamed widely as he looked at Emily, glad that he was able to lighten the mood somewhat.

Fifty minutes later Emily stopped the car and looked over at the jet and saw Rossi, Morgan, Garcia and JJ waiting by the steps. Kate got out of the car and waited while Emily grabbed a couple of bags from the trunk before she took a hold of Kate's hand and they walked towards the jet.

"Hey pumpkin."

"Hey Uncle Dave."

"Come on pumpkin let's go and find you the best seat in the plane and see if JJ has left us some chocolate from the last trip!"

Rossi took Kate's hand as they walked up the steps, he grabbed a packet of M&Ms as they walked down and sat down on the sofa whilst the others sat around one of the tables.

Morgan took the seat next to Emily, he didn't say anything to her as he had no words to say, instead he put his arm around her and let her rest her head against his shoulder for the short plane journey. Garcia and JJ were sat opposite and their hands intertwined underneath the table as JJ rested her head against Garcia. Nobody said anything but they could hear Rossi talking to Kate about school and how he had managed to get hold of the latest Disney film for the two of them to watch on the plane.

The next morning closing arguments were still going on. Ambassador Prentiss had managed to rearrange her schedule and had joined the group as they sat in a diner waiting for some news, it was 2pm before the jury finally retired to consider their verdict but by 4pm it was obvious to everyone that they weren't going to hear anything that day.

The following morning Emily, Kate, Garcia and JJ went out for a walk, trying to take their minds off what they were waiting for and headed to a nearby park. Kate instantly headed towards the swings and grabbed JJ's hand as they happily swung together as JJ encouraged Kate to go higher. Garcia sat next to Emily on a nearby bench, both woman jumped as they heard Emily's phone start to ring.

"Agent Prentiss."

"Hello Agent Prentiss it's Richard Silkman, I've just had word that they jury is ready to give its verdict."

"Thank you we will be there shortly."

Emily and Garcia nodded at each other as Emily stood up and walked towards JJ and Kate whilst Garcia got on her phone to let the others know the news.

They sat in the front row all in a line, Rossi, Elizabeth Prentiss, Emily, Kate, JJ, Garcia and Morgan. The whole room fell silent as the jury filed in and sat down, except for the foreman who stood facing the judge.

"Has the jury come to a conclusion that you are all agreed upon?"

"Yes your honour."

In the case against Mrs Ainsley, how do you find the defendant against the charges of conspiracy to murder?"

"Guilty."

Emily felt Kate squeeze her hand as the verdict was read out, her heart was pumping fast as she squeezed back.

"And the charges of conspiracy to rape and murder?"

"Guilty."

"In the case against Mr Ainsley, how do you find the defendant against the charges of rape, torture and murder?"

"Guilty."

"Thank you for your tome, you are now dismissed."

In the row Emily was the first to let out a sigh of relief, she felt her mother gasp beside her and Garcia's squeal of delight was audible to all, Emily turned and looked at Kate who had bowed her head as JJ put her hand on top of the girl's head. Emily allowed herself to look over at the Ainsley's, Mrs Ainsley had her head in her hands while Mr Ainsley had started to shift around in his seat. Emily kept her eyes fixated on the two of them, something about him was drawing her gaze over as she watched them whisper to one another, then suddenly she saw Mr Ainsley reach into his jacket pocket and a glint of metal shone in her eyes before she could react she saw him stab his wife in the chest. As a guard bent down to help Ainsley grabbed the guard's gun and shot him in the head.

The team's reactions went into overdrive as they all quickly drew their weapons and JJ pushed Kate down onto the floor and she was soon joined by her grandmother and Garcia. With over a dozen weapons aimed at him from not only the BAU team but the other officers in the courtroom, Ainsley knew that he was facing a losing battle but to him that what he wanted. He smiled and cocked his head as he stared hard at Emily, his finger poised delicately over the trigger.

"Give it up Ainsley there is no way out."

Morgan's voice boomed out loudly as Kate threw her hands over her ears and closed her eyes.

"Oh I think that the fun is just beginning!"

Ainsley blew a kiss towards Emily as he pulled the trigger as two bullets passed each other, one heading towards Ainsley's head, the other towards the front row.